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Theresa May kicks out more ministers in ‘ruthless’ reshuffle

Small mercies: Anna Soubry’s removal will mean no more insufferable performances on the BBC’s Question Time [Image: Carl Court/Getty Images].

They say a new broom sweeps clean. Well, Tories can never be swept entirely clean but Theresa May certainly seems to be trying to bring fresh minds into her cabinet.

That does not mean her government will be any better than David Cameron’s.

It means we will find it hard to pre-judge the new Conservative government. Once they start bedding in, we’ll know what we’re facing.

Theresa May continued with a reshuffle that some have called ruthless with the announcement that Anna Soubry – a supporter during the leadership battle – was out of her position as small business minister.

Ros Altmann, the pensions expert was also removed from the Department for Work and Pensions on Friday to make way for Penny Mordaunt, a Brexit supporter who was a close ally of Andrea Leadsom in the leadership contest. Mike Penning took her role at the Ministry of Defence.

Further appointments made after 10.30pm included Brandon Lewis, a key ally during May’s leadership, becoming minister for policing, and Robert Goodwill becoming the new immigration minister.

Matt Hancock and Greg Hands – two allies of George Osborne – were spared the axe. Hancock was appointed as minister for digital policy, and Hands goes to international trade under Liam Fox.

Jane Ellison was given the role of financial secretary to the Treasury, Jo Johnson stays as universities minister, John Hayes has become transport minister and Damian Hinds becomes a minister at the DWP.

Ed Vaizey, a friend of David Cameron, left the government after a long tenure as culture minister.

According to several sources May intends to introduce various aspects of Jeremy Corbyn’s policies with regard to “austerity politics” leaving the right wing faction of the Labour Party with egg on their faces when they will be seen as worse than the Tories themselves. Oops!